UNCASVILLE — While at UConn, Swin Cash learned that even the most talented teams must possess a significant number of intangible attributes to become a champion.

Such things as conditioning, poise, teamwork, communication, knowledge and unselfishness can be vital to success. And toward that end, everyone's acceptance of their roles can affect the team.

Cash has been at the forefront of success often, beginning with leading the Huskies' iconic 2002 team in scoring and rebounding. More than a decade and three WNBA championships later, she's still having a huge impact in women's basketball but in a much more subtle and mature way.

Cash returns to Connecticut today to play the Connecticut Sun as a member of the Chicago Sky, the team with the best record in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. The 33-year-old is no longer the focal point of her team as All-Stars Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles and Epiphanny Prince have taken that lead, but Coach Pokey Chatman said Cash has been the player to bring all the team's talent together and focus it in the right direction.

"She is huge in the way she communicates, especially with the youngsters," Chatman said. "You kind of see the dots being connected for us right now, and Swin has a lot to do with that. She makes the coaches sleep good at night when she is out there communicating. It's a game of adjustments, and she is our coach on the floor."

Cash is fourth on the team in scoring (9.3) and second in rebounding (5.8), but her real worth has been the way she's stepped back and used her experience to help others grow and learn. That's not an easy transition for someone UConn coach Geno Auriemma lauds as being one of the most competitive players he's coached.

Cash still has incredible drive to contribute on the floor, and toward that end she worked with a basketball trainer and a strength and conditioning trainer during the offseason.

"You put that time in and you hope immediately you see the results," Cash said. "When it doesn't happen you can get frustrated but I didn't have time for that, because I have a rookie who has to learn different aspects of the game. I have other players who have to mature fast. I am trying to bring everything together. Being a captain, I didn't really have time to worry about what Swin is not doing."

The rookie, Della Donne, said Cash is the one she goes to for advice when something isn't working. She helps her understand opponents' tendencies and shows her how to react in different situations or apply concepts.

"Swin has been incredible for me, and I am so lucky to have her as a teammate," Della Donne said. "The first day of training camp she was talking to me and helping me along with the drills. Now she tells me my own scouting report. I get one from the coaches and watch the film, but I also get the Swin report. She has been awesome in helping me with my transition. I credit her for why it has been so smooth."

"It is easy for me," Cash said. "I have been in this position before as far as being a leader. I have more experience so there are certain things I can tell (Courtney Vandersloot) or (Prince) that I see that they don't necessarily see yet. It is good to keep pouring information into them. Players did it for me and so now I am just giving back to the game."

She said she's still making the transition from a player wanting to do everything herself into a player/coach letting others do some of the heavy work.

"It is very difficult, but if you watch the video there are still times when I am all over the place, because I will cover up for her, cover up for her, do this and that and whatever I need to do to win," Cash said. "The bottom line is that I want to win."

She said it pained her not to make the playoffs last season given the team's size and talent. She didn't like the culture or collective mindset in the locker room. She set out to change it by making teammates understand the necessary "down and dirty defensive mentality and the desire to get out there and execute." She show them by aggressively play defense against a power forward one series and a point guard the next.

"These are young women who have a lot of talent and it is just about helping them figure out the greatness inside of them," Cash said. "Some people my age want to take a step back, but I am stepping up the challenge, and I hope I can be helpful and contribute to our team not only in a coaching aspect but on the court. I have to do both of those things for us to be successful.

"I play for the love of competing and winning a championship. When I don't have that any more, I will walk away. But right now I still have the desire to compete at the highest level."

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